Parliament Question: Exemption from Qualifying Language Paper

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 772 (ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026) EXEMPTION FROM QUALIFYING LANGUAGE PAPER

772. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that candidates from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim are exempted from the qualifying language papers in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission

(UPSC) and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government recognises that aspirants from UT Ladakh face similar or more acute linguistic and educational constraints as many receive early education in local languages and dialects not included in the prescribed list of qualifying languages and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any proposal is under consideration to extend a similar exemption from qualifying language papers to candidates from Ladakh and if so, the timeline for taking a decision and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) whether the Government will consider such exemption, keeping in view the disadvantages faced by Ladakhi students and the need for equity, inclusiveness and balanced regional representation in the All India and Central Civil Services and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a): Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted by Union Public Service Commission

(UPSC) annually in accordance with the CSE Rules notified by this Department for a particular CSE. As per CSE Rules-2025, the Paper A on Indian Language is not compulsory for candidates hailing from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.

(b) to (d): CSE Rules are part of a dynamic, evolving framework. To ensure a level playing field for the aspirants nationwide, Government continuously undertakes reforms and remedial measures. *******